swing 1 of 2

1
as in to deviate
to change one's course or direction thinking that we were being followed, we abruptly swung to the left at the next intersection swing right at James St.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to turn
to change the course or direction of (something) at the sound of gunfire, the cavalry officer swung his horse around and galloped rapidly back to the fort

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
as in to rotate
to move (something) in a curved or circular path on or as if on an axis he swung the bat as hard as he could but he missed the ball don't let the wind swing that gate shut

Synonyms & Similar Words

5
as in to hang
to place on an elevated point without support from below beach towels swung up to dry on the lifeguard's high chair

Synonyms & Similar Words

6

swing

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb swing differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of swing are fluctuate, oscillate, sway, undulate, vibrate, and waver. While all these words mean "to move from one direction to its opposite," swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side.

the door suddenly swung open

When might fluctuate be a better fit than swing?

Although the words fluctuate and swing have much in common, fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value.

fluctuating interest rates

When is it sensible to use oscillate instead of swing?

The words oscillate and swing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction.

an oscillating fan

When could sway be used to replace swing?

While in some cases nearly identical to swing, sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement.

trees swaying in the breeze

When can undulate be used instead of swing?

In some situations, the words undulate and swing are roughly equivalent. However, undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion.

an undulating sea of grass

Where would vibrate be a reasonable alternative to swing?

The meanings of vibrate and swing largely overlap; however, vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact.

the vibrating strings of a piano

In what contexts can waver take the place of swing?

While the synonyms waver and swing are close in meaning, waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering.

the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of swing
Verb
That was the momentum swing that cost the Saints most significantly in a frustrating road loss. The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025 Cowboys and the conservative swing The last time Keegin recalls this level of cowboy costuming was the late 1990s, toward the end of the Clinton administration. Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
While the percentage of Americans who have ACA marketplace health insurance is small, the share could be large enough to swing a close election, KFF reported in October. Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025 Very little of Kiss’ music could be considered jazzy, but drummer Peter Criss, a Gene Krupa aficionado, could swing the band when the occasion called for it. A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for swing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swing
Verb
  • Anomalies are things that deviate from what is normal and expected.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Etminan’s editing routine also deviated from his standard practice.
    Hugh Hart, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Take a cue from Gal Gadot and scroll on for more sweater vests that will turn your fall layers into a Wonder Woman-worthy outfit.
    Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Anastasia Soare is turning heads and raising brows.
    Emily Burns, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The ethical dimension of creating and manipulating living brain cells remains under discussion.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Don't Look Now manipulates audiences' minds, mixing elements of the occult with the overwhelming need for hope into a plot twist audiences will find difficult to swallow.
    Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Patriots have Williams, Christian Barmore, Khyiris Tonga, Joshua Farmer and Cory Durden to rotate in the middle of the defense.
    Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Slice the dough as directed, rotating the roll frequently to avoid creating a flat side.
    Jessica Saari Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Their arms had fallen off; their internal organs hung outside their bodies.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Hatton was described in court as a boxing coach and company director and the cause of his death was given as hanging.
    Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This model reduces upfront investment and makes high-end simulation accessible to smaller firms that previously couldn’t afford enterprise-scale CAE platforms.
    Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2025
  • However, the rights that these certificates grant are not equal to the rights afforded to straight couples.
    Abby Monteil, Them., 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The researchers can’t conclude, based on observing study participants, that movement definitively caused their better health outcomes.
    Veronique Greenwood, Time, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The common rule in KC stepping is that the man leads his partner in the dance — queuing the spins, turns and overall flow of movement.
    Alexa Stone Updated October 21, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Using Gemini in the Galaxy XR headset feels like a bigger shift toward using AI to get things done that may have previously required multiple steps or more than one app.
    Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Many sites remain physically open, but the combination of high visitation and reduced services shifts environmental and financial costs into the future.
    Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 21 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Swing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swing. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

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